The key to making a bootable Linux USB drive is to select the right tool and follow the steps. First, prepare a USB drive of at least 8GB and back up the data, and download the official Linux ISO file; secondly, it is recommended to use the Rufus tool, insert the USB drive and load the ISO file and click "Start" to write; in addition, Ventoy can be used to enable multi-system startup or manually operate with command line tools (requires administrator permissions). Finally, make sure that the BIOS is set correctly before starting the test, enable Legacy Boot and close Secure Boot. If it still cannot be started, try to switch the partition plan.

In fact, making a bootable Linux USB drive is not complicated, as long as the tools and steps are correct, it can be done in a few minutes. The key is to choose the right software, prepare the USB drive, and ensure that the writing method is correct.

Preparation: USB drive and mirror file

First you have to have a USB drive with at least 8GB capacity (some distributions may need to be larger), note that this process will clear all data, so it is important to back up in advance.

Then go to the official website to download the ISO file you need for Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, or Debian. Be sure to confirm that the source is reliable and avoid downloading maliciously modified images.

Recommended tool: Rufus is the most commonly used option

Creating a boot disk on Windows, Rufus is one of the most stable and convenient tools available. It is free, requires no installation, and supports most mainstream Linux distributions.

How to use is very simple:

• Insert the USB drive
• Open Rufus
• Select your USB drive in Devices
• Click the disk icon in "Boot Selection" to load the ISO file you downloaded
• The file system is generally just fine by default (usually FAT32 is sufficient)
• Click "Start" and wait for the writing to complete

During the process, you may prompt whether to download additional Syslinux files. Just click "Yes" to not affect the final result.

Other available scenarios: Ventoy and command line

If you don't want to re-do the boot disk every time, you can try Ventoy . It turns the USB drive into a multi-start disk manager, just copy multiple ISO files into it and select the system you want to use when booting up.

In addition, the command line tool (DiskPart dd) that comes with Windows can also be implemented, but the operation is relatively cumbersome and suitable for people with certain experience. The steps are roughly as follows:

• Use diskpart to view and clean the USB drive
• Use the dd command to write ISO to the USB drive
• Note that it must run with administrator privileges

This method is more "hardcore" and has a higher risk of errors. Novices recommend giving priority to graphical tools.

Details to pay attention to before starting the test

After writing is completed, plug it into the target computer and try to start it. The way to enter the BIOS or start menu varies by model, usually by the F12, Esc, or Del keys.

If it cannot be started, check the following points first:

• Whether "Legacy Boot" is enabled or "Secure Boot" is turned off in the BIOS
• Is the USB drive completely plugged in?
• Whether the correct startup device is selected

Sometimes incompatible writing methods can also lead to failure. For example, some old motherboards are not friendly to GPT partitions. You can switch to Rufus' "partition scheme" to try MBR or GPT.

Basically all that is it. The whole process is not difficult, but there are a few small places that are easy to get stuck, especially the startup setting part. As long as you take it step by step, there is no big problem.

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